Washington's statewide sales tax is 6.5 percent, but your actual rate depends on local taxes added on top
Washington has no state income tax, so it relies on sales tax to fund schools, roads, and services. The state itself charges 6.5 percent on most purchases. However, cities and counties add their own local sales taxes on top of that amount. Your total rate—what you actually pay at the register—ranges from 6.5 percent in a few rural areas to as high as 10.25 percent in some cities. The rate you owe depends on where the sale happens, not where you live.
This matters because a purchase in one city can cost more in tax than the same purchase a few miles away. If you live near a city border, knowing the difference can add up over time. Washington also taxes some items differently than other states do—groceries are taxed, for example, while clothing under $110 per item is not.
Key Takeaways
- Washington's state sales tax rate is 6.5 percent, but local cities and counties add additional taxes that raise your total rate to between 6.5 and 10.25 percent depending on location.
- The tax rate that applies is determined by where the sale takes place, not by where you live or where you are from.
- Groceries, prepared food, and most household items are taxed at the full rate, but clothing and footwear under $110 per item are exempt.
- You can find your exact local rate by entering your address on the Washington Department of Revenue website or asking a retailer in your area.
How local taxes stack on top of the state rate
Washington allows cities and counties to add their own sales tax on top of the 6.5 percent state rate. A city might add 1.5 percent, and the county might add another 0.5 percent. That means a purchase in that city is taxed at 7.5 percent total. Some cities have added even more—Seattle, for example, has a combined rate of 10.25 percent when you add the state tax, city tax, and county tax together.
These local taxes are not optional for the city or county—they are voted on by residents and used to fund local services like transit, parks, or schools. The rate can vary block by block if you live near a city boundary. A store on one side of the street might charge a different tax rate than a store across the street.
What items are taxed and what are exempt
Most things you buy in Washington are subject to sales tax. Groceries, restaurant meals, household supplies, electronics, and furniture are all taxed. However, Washington exempts certain items from sales tax entirely.
Clothing and footwear under $110 per item are not taxed. A pair of shoes that costs $80 is tax-free; a pair that costs $150 is taxed on the full amount. Prescription medications are also exempt. Diapers, feminine hygiene products, and over-the-counter medications are taxed, but some counties have added their own exemptions for these items in recent years—check your local rules.
Services are generally not taxed in Washington. Haircuts, repairs, and labor are tax-free. However, if you buy a product as part of a service—like paint that a contractor applies to your house—the product itself may be taxed depending on the situation.
Finding your exact local sales tax rate
The Washington Department of Revenue maintains a sales tax rate lookup tool on its website. You enter your street address, and it shows you the exact combined rate for that location. This is the most reliable way to know what you will pay, because rates can change and can vary by neighborhood.
If you do not have internet access, you can call the Department of Revenue or visit a local tax assessor's office. Retailers in your area can also tell you the rate—they are required to know it and display it at checkout.
When you owe sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases
If you order something online from a retailer that has a physical location in Washington, that retailer must charge you Washington sales tax based on your delivery address. If you order from a retailer with no Washington presence, the retailer may not charge tax, but you may owe use tax instead—a tax on items you bring into the state or have delivered to you.
In practice, most people do not pay use tax on personal purchases, and Washington does not actively pursue individuals for it. However, businesses are expected to track and report use tax on items they purchase out of state for business use. If you are buying for a business, ask your accountant about use tax obligations.
Sales tax on vehicles and major purchases
Vehicle sales are taxed at the same rate as other purchases, but the tax is calculated on the selling price, not the value you declare to the Department of Licensing. When you buy a car, truck, or motorcycle in Washington, the dealer collects sales tax at the rate for that location and sends it to the state.
If you buy a vehicle out of state and bring it to Washington, you owe use tax on it. You pay this when you register the vehicle with the Department of Licensing. The tax is based on the purchase price or fair market value, whichever is higher, and is calculated at your local sales tax rate.
How sales tax rates have changed and where the money goes
Washington's state sales tax rate has been 6.5 percent since 1983. Local rates have changed over time as cities and counties have voted to add or modify their own taxes. Some of these local taxes are temporary and expire after a set number of years; others are permanent.
Sales tax revenue funds education, transportation, public health, and local services. The state distributes a portion of sales tax revenue back to cities and counties based on population and other factors. When you pay sales tax, roughly 6.5 percent goes to the state general fund, and the remainder goes to the local jurisdiction where the sale occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is clothing always tax-free in Washington?
No. Only clothing and footwear under $110 per item are exempt. If a single item costs $110 or more, the entire purchase is taxed. Accessories like belts, hats, and gloves under $110 are also exempt, but jewelry is taxed regardless of price.
Do I pay sales tax on groceries?
Yes. Washington taxes most groceries at the full sales tax rate. This includes fresh produce, meat, dairy, and packaged foods. A few states exempt groceries, but Washington does not.
What is the difference between sales tax and use tax?
Sales tax is charged when you buy something in Washington. Use tax is charged when you buy something outside Washington and bring it into the state, or when an out-of-state seller does not charge you sales tax. They are meant to be the same rate so that buying out of state does not give you a tax advantage.
Can I get a refund of sales tax I already paid?
Generally, no. Sales tax is final once the purchase is complete. If you return an item and get a refund, the sales tax is refunded as part of that refund. If you paid sales tax on something you later found out was exempt, you would need to contact the retailer or the Department of Revenue to request a refund, which is uncommon.
Does Washington tax online purchases the same way as in-store purchases?
Yes, if the retailer has a Washington presence. Amazon, for example, collects Washington sales tax on most items shipped to Washington addresses. Smaller retailers without a Washington location may not collect tax, but you technically owe use tax on those purchases.